6/19/2010
By LARRY MORITZ/Salina Journal

Jim Wittman had a choice to make. He decided against taking the easy way out.

Wittman gave up two things he loves -- teaching and coaching -- when he submitted his letter of resignation Friday as football coach at Sacred Heart High School.

After nine seasons as Knights head coach, Wittman chose to call it quits after a disagreement with administration at the Salina parochial school over his desire to hire a volunteer assistant coach for the 2010 season.

Wittman was instructed that if he resigned his coaching position, he would also have to give up his half-time teaching position at the school. He agreed to give up both.

"My decision to resign all came down to hiring an assistant coach," said Wittman, who declined to name the assistant he wanted to hire. "The reason I wasn't allowed to hire this assistant coach is apparently there are some philosophical differences and trust issues with the current administration."

Sacred Heart superintendent Nick Compagnone released a five-sentence statement regarding Wittman's resignation Friday.

"We truly appreciate Coach Wittman's years of service and his dedication to Sacred Heart Jr./Sr. High School," the statement read. "We were surprised and disappointed by his choice to resign.

"Coach Wittman has had a very positive influence in supporting the football program and the mission of Sacred Heart Jr./Sr. High School. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors. Meanwhile, an interim coach will be named soon and a search committee will be formed for a permanent replacement."

The statement requested any further questions be directed to Sacred Heart principal John Krajicek. Several call attempts to the school and Krajicek's home phone went unanswered Friday afternoon.

Wittman estimated he had hired 10 assistant coaches while at Sacred Heart and never had a previous choice rejected by the school's administration. He added that, in his opinion, he and the prospective coach were never given a clear reason why the choice was rejected.

"I've been here nine years and felt that I've done a good job picking my assistant coaches," Wittman said. "I consider it disrespectful and feel they've taken my liberty to pick my assistants.

"I had to stand up not only for me, but for him. He hasn't been given the opportunity to defend himself because he doesn't know what he's been accused of. According to Nick, it came down to his coaching philosophy does not fit the mission statement of Sacred Heart."

Wittman said the credentials for his requested assistant include coaching Salvation Army football and MAYB youth basketball. His children attend parish schools and he has a son at Sacred Heart, but that son is not a member of the football team.

Wittman's wife, Rose, has been the head volleyball coach at Sacred Heart for six years. They had three daughters graduate from Sacred Heart between 2003 and 2009 and all three played volleyball, basketball and softball for the Knights. Jim said he keeps his daughters in mind when selecting staff members who will be working with the student-athletes at Sacred Heart.

"I have a lot of bonds with this school," Wittman said. "I know you want to hire a coach with the same philosophy as your own and I wouldn't mind having this person coach my daughters."

Wittman met with his returning players on Friday morning and informed them of his decision. He said he hopes to continue coaching sometime in the near future.

"I still want to coach," Wittman said. "I've been doing it for 23 years and it's a passion. Whether it is an assistant or head coaching position, I still want to coach."

Wittman had a 69-28 record during his nine-year run and his teams made seven consecutive playoff appearances from 2002 through 2008. The Knights won at least one postseason game in six of those seven appearances, reaching the Class 2-1A state semifinals in 2002.

Sacred Heart is coming off a 3-6 record in 2009, the only season the Knights finished below .500 during Wittman's current tenure. He also coached the Sacred Heart football team for one season in 1990, and his 71 career victories at the school ranks second behind longtime coach Jon Bingesser.

"My nine years here have been something every head coach wants to experience," Wittman said. "I've developed relationships with players past and present, and I've had the opportunity to coach a lot of good athletes at Sacred Heart.

"I will cherish the memories I have made at this school."

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